HRD ministry passes ordinance to restore AICTE powers

An ordinance to reinstate the powers of the AICTE was passed by the HRD ministry. The ordinance was proposed after a Supreme Court ruling stated that the AICTE was only an advisory body which meant that colleges affiliated to various universities need not take its consent for MBA programmes

The proposal was cleared by HRD minister MM Pallam Raju and sent to the Law Ministry. The proposal amends the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) Act and was required to prevent the rampant growth of institutes offering management programmes.

An apex court ruling in April had said that the AICTE had no jurisdiction or power to sanction colleges affiliated with the universities. The court stated that according to the AICTE Act and UGC Act its role was provide guidance and recommendations.